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Grammar: When to Use Do, Does, and Did

3-minute read

• 12th August 2022

Verbs are essential to creating complete sentences, as they help us express physical actions ( She jumped in the puddle) , mental actions ( He thought about puppies) , and states of being ( I am hungry) .

There are several types of verbs that can each be written in different tenses, so they can be tricky to work with, especially if English isn’t your first language . We’ve put together a guide to help you use one of the most common verbs, do , in your writing . Read on below to learn more!

Action Verbs

As the name suggests, action verbs are used to express actions completed by the subject of a sentence. The base verb do is conjugated according to the tense:

1. Present Tense

In the present tense, do takes the form do or does, depending on the subject:

Consider the following examples:

We do our homework every night.

   She does her homework every night.

2. Past Tense

In the simple past tense , the base verb do takes the form did with all subjects:

   We did our homework last night.

   She did her homework last night.

Auxiliary Verbs

Auxiliary , or helping verbs, are used with another base verb to create negative sentences, questions, or add emphasis. Here’s how do should be used as an auxiliary verb:

1. Negative Sentences

Following the same subject–verb pairings introduced above, we combine the auxiliaries do , does , and did with the adverb not to create negative sentences:

   We do not do our homework every night.

   She did not do her homework last night.

Note that we can combine the auxiliary and the adverb to create the contractions don’t , doesn’t , and didn’t . You simply remove the space between the two words and replace the letter o in not with an apostrophe (’).

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Contractions are more common in conversations and informal writing and typically shouldn’t be used in formal writing (e.g., academic or business).

2. Questions

To create questions, the auxiliary is combined with the infinitive of another verb in this way: auxiliary verb + subject + infinitive verb .

●  Simple present questions:

Do they sell children’s books?

Does he speak English?

Note that the third person verb speaks isn’t spelled with the s when paired with the auxiliary to form a question.

●  Simple past questions:

Did you buy anything at the bookstore?

Did he learn how to speak English?

Note that did indicates the past tense, so the main verbs don’t also take the past tense (i.e., bought and learned ).

3. Emphasis

In positive sentences, we can also combine the auxiliaries do , does , and did with the main verb to emphasize that something is true:

   We do sell children’s books.

   He did learn to speak English.

Try saying these sentences aloud and adding emphasis to the auxiliary terms with your tone. It adds a dramatic effect!

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Hopefully, this guide will help you feel more confident when using different forms of the verb do in your writing. If you’re still learning or want to be sure your work is error-free, our editors are ready to help. You can upload a free trial document today to learn more!

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'Do' can be an auxiliary verb or a main verb. We can also conjugate it. In this lesson, we will learn more about it.

The verb do is used very often in English grammar. The verb do is used as an auxiliary verb or a main verb. In this lesson, we will learn all about it.

Functions of 'Do'

• Auxiliary Verb

1. 'Do' as an Auxiliary Verb

Do as an auxiliary verb has no specific meaning and it is used to help make a question or a negation. Have a look:

• Do as an auxiliary verb is used in simple present or simple past tense to make a question or negation. Have a look:

I work hard. → Do you work hard?/ I do not work hard.

'Work' is the simple present tense, so 'do' is needed to make a question or negation.

I tried to talk to him. → Did you try to talk to him?/ I did not try to talk to him.

'Tried' is the simple past tense, so 'did' is used.

• Do is used to emphasize the verb. For example:

I do know what I say.

The speaker emphasizes what they know.

He did go there. I witnessed it.

The verb to be is the only main verb that does not take the auxiliary verb 'do' in questions or negations. Look:

She is a doctor. → Is she a doctor?/ She is not a doctor.

Position in a Sentence

The auxiliary verb do mainly comes before the main verb. Remember that in short answers, it can be used alone. For example:

Do you know what I mean?

I don't know.

A : Do you understand?

B : Yes, I do .

Contraction & Negation of 'Do'

This table shows some examples of the negation and negative contractions of the verb do :

For example:

I didn't go there.

She doesn't think like that.

2. 'Do' as a Main Verb

Do as the main verb contributes to the meaning of the sentence. Take a look:

• Do as the main verb is a dummy verb in this structure: do + noun . Look:

I do my homework .

I did chemistry at university.

• Do as a main verb means 'to perform, to act.' For example:

Do what you want.

What is he doing in the kitchen?

The verb do as the main verb acts like other main verbs and expresses the action of the doer. To make a question or negation, we still need the auxiliary verb 'do.' For example:

I do my laundry. → I don't do my laundry./ Do you do your laundry?

The underline words are auxiliary verbs.

Remember that modal verbs and the auxiliary verb have are prioritized when we have the main verb do in a sentence. For example:

I will do chemistry at university. → Will you do chemistry?/ I will not do chemistry.

She had done her homework. → Had she done her homework?

Conjugation

Here is the conjugation of the verb 'do.' Look:

• past participle

• progressive

Recommend :

do in English – auxiliary and main verb

Is do an auxiliary or a main verb.

The verb do can be an auxiliary verb or a main verb in English.

1. do as a main verb

1.1. do as a main verb in simple present (do, does, don't, doesn't).

1.2. do as a main verb in Simple Past (did, didn't)

1.3. do as a main verb – past participle (done)

1.4. do as a main verb (Present Progressive, Gerund, present participle) – (doing)

2. do as an auxiliary

2.1. do as an auxiliary in negations in the simple present.

I do n't do my homework in the evenings.*

2.2. do as an auxiliary in negations in the Simple Past

I did n't do my homework yesterday evening.**

2.3. do as an auxiliary in quesions in the Simple Present

Do you like rugby? – Does he like rugby?

2.4. do as an auxiliary in quesions in the Simple Past

Did you see Peggy yesterday? When did you get up this morning?

2.5. do with the negative imparative

Do n't sing under the shower.

* Here we use do in the negative sentence as an auxiliary and do as a main verb .

** Here we use did in the negative sentence as an auxiliary and do as a main verb .

• You are here:
• Grammar Explanations
• Modal Auxiliaries

Do - Does - Did - Done

English grammar.

The word DO appears a lot in English.

This is because it can be a verb TO DO (Do / Does / Did / Done) and can also be an AUXILIARY verb (Do / Does / Did).

The Verb - To Do

The verb TO DO has four forms.

• Present Tense: Do / Does
• Past Tense: Did
• Past Participle: Done

TO DO - Present Tense - (Do / Does)

The present tense of TO DO is:

I / you / we / they - DO he / she / it - DOES

• I do my laundry on Saturdays.
• They do their chores when they arrive home.
• He does nothing all day.
• She does charity work when she has time.

TO DO - Past Tense - (Did)

The past tense of DO is DID for all subjects:

I / you / we / they / he / she / it - DID

• I did my homework in record time.
• We did everything we could to help.
• He did a somersault on the trampoline

TO DO - Past Participle - (Done)

The past participle of DO is DONE . Remember that past participles are accompanied by TO HAVE or TO BE (in the correct tense):

• I have done my homework.
• He has done a good job.
• The video will show you how it is done .
• The report was done on time.

TO DO - To replace a verb

We sometimes use the verb DO to replace a verb when the meaning is clear or obvious. This replacement is more common in informal spoken English:

• Do I need to do my hair? (do = brush or comb)
• Have you done the dishes yet? (done = washed)
• I'll do the kitchen if you do the lawns (do = clean, do = mow)

DO vs DOES in Questions

To make a question in the Simple Present Tense in English we normally put the auxiliary Do or Does at the beginning of the question before the subject.

Affirmative: You speak Arabic. Question: Do you speak Arabic?

You will see that we add DO at the beginning of the affirmative sentence to change it into a question. We use Do when the subject is I , you , we or they .

Affirmative: He speaks Arabic. Question: Does he speak Arabic?

When the subject is he , she or it , we add DOES at the beginning to make the affirmative sentence a question. Notice that the letter S at the end of the verb in the affirmative sentence (because it is in third person) disappears in the question.

NOTE: We DON'T use Do or Does in questions that have the verb To Be or Modal Verbs (can, must, might, should etc.)

Examples of DO and DOES in questions:

• Do you like my shirt?
• Does he drive to work?
• Does she like hamburgers?
• Where do you live?

Notice there can be other words before Do and Does such as Question Words (Who, What etc.)

DID in Questions

To make a question in the Past Tense in English we normally put the auxiliary DID at the beginning of the question or before the main subject.

DID is used with regular AND irregular verbs in English. (Exception is To Be and Modal Verbs such as Can )

Both Do and Does in present tense questions become Did in past tense questions. Compare the following:

Present: Do they live in Spain? Past: Did they live in Spain?

The main verb ( live in the example above) is in its base form (of the infinitive). The auxiliary DID shows that the question is in the past tense .

NOTICE: The only difference between a question in the present tense and a question in the past tense is the change in the auxiliary verb.

Examples of DID in questions:

• Did you visit a museum while you were there?
• Did the bus arrive late?
• Did she like the surprise?
• Why did you say that?

DON'T - DOESN'T - Negative Sentences

To make a negative sentence in English we normally use Don't or Doesn't in the present sentence.

Don't and Doesn't are used in negative sentences with all verbs EXCEPT To Be and Modal verbs (Can, might, should etc.).

Affirmative: You speak Spanish. Negative: You don't speak Spanish.

You will see that we add don't between the subject and the verb. We use Don't when the subject is I , you , we or they .

Affirmative: He speaks Spanish. Negative: He doesn't speak Spanish.

When the subject is he , she or it , we add doesn't between the subject and the verb to make a negative sentence. Notice that the letter S at the end of the verb in the affirmative sentence (because it is in third person) disappears in the negative sentence.

Examples of sentences using don't and doesn't :

• I don't like junk food.
• We don't need a dictionary.
• He doesn't want to get out of bed.
• It doesn't rain in the desert.

DIDN'T (DID NOT) - Negative Sentences

In the past tense Didn't is used to make a negative sentence for all subjects (I / you / we / they / he / she / it). This is for regular AND irregular verbs in English. (Exception is To Be and Modal Verbs such as Can )

Compare the following:

Present: They don't live in Japan. Past: They didn't live in Japan.

The main verb ( live in the example above) is in its base form (of the infinitive). The auxiliary DIDN'T shows that the sentence is negative AND in the past tense.

NOTICE: The only difference between a negative sentence in the present tense and a negative sentence in the past tense is the change in the auxiliary verb.

Examples of sentences using Didn't :

• I didn't want to go
• He didn't study for the exam.
• We didn't have time to finish the report.
• They didn't like the movie.

DO - For Emphasis

Sometimes Do / Does / Did are used in positive sentences to give special emphasis . Note that when speaking, the word ( do/does/did ) is stressed.

• I do want to go. (We put stress on the word DO to emphasize that we want to go)
• You do need to take an umbrella.
• He does like spinach. (You may be surprised but yes, he likes spinach)
• I did study. (Contrary to what you may believe... yes, I studied)

Notice that Did is used for positive sentences in the past tense and that the main verb is in its base form.

Do can also appear at the beginning of an imperative sentence to emphasize the importance of that imperative verb.

• Do call when you arrive.
• Do tell him that I will be waiting for him.

Next activity

Try our interactive game about the difference between Do, Does, Did and Done .

See our notes about Do vs Does and Don't vs Doesn't .

See the difference between Do and Make .

If you found these Grammar notes about Do Does Did Done in English interesting or useful, let others know about it.

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‘Make homework’ vs. ‘do homework’ in English

First, let me note that “homework” is an uncountable (mass) noun in English. It is a common mistake, even among some non-native teachers of English as a foreign language, to say things like, “Hand in your homeworks, please.” The word “homework”, being uncountable, does not have a plural form. If you really must refer to several separate “pieces” of homework, the word you are looking for is “assignment”:

It is also not possible to use “homework” with “a”:

Let’s move on to the main topic of this article. Without further ado, the correct verb to use with “homework” is “do”, not “make”:

“Homework” is not in any way special in this respect. We always use “do” with activities and “make” with objects that are being made. Just like we “do work”, not “make work”, we also “do homework”, meaning the activity.

The confusion arises from the fact that the most direct translation of “homework” into other languages often refers to the sheets of paper on which the assignments are written, hence it would make sense to “make it”. For the very same reason, we wouldn’t usually speak about “writing homework”:

By the way, if you haven’t read my guide on how to avoid the most common mistakes in English, make sure to check it out; it deals with similar topics.

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Use the image.

• Action Verbs
• Auxiliary (or Helping) Verbs
• Stative Verbs
• Modal Verbs
• Phrasal Verbs
• Verb Tenses
• Irregular Verbs
• Irregular Verbs List
• Confusing Verbs
• Gerunds and Infinitives
• Infinitive Definition & Examples

Do, Does, Did

• An Extensive List of Phrasal Verbs
• The Present Simple Tense
• The Present Progressive Tense
• The Past Simple Tense
• The Past Progressive Tense
• The Present Perfect Simple Verb Tense
• The Future Tense
• The Present Perfect Progressive Tense
• The Past Perfect Simple Tense
• The Past Perfect Progressive Tense
• The Future Perfect Tense
• Passive Voice
• Conjugation
• Conjunctions
• Preposition

The Verb to do: do, does and did

To do as an action verb, subject/verb agreement using to do as an action verb.

Spelling Tip

• Pete always does his taxes on time.
• Volunteers do a lot of work around the town.
• Gil did a great job on his history report for school.
• You have done nothing all morning!
• I am doing the best I can!

The verb to do as an auxiliary verb

Negative sentences with do not, does not and did not.

• Your client doesn't understand the contract.
• You don't need to worry about me.
• Your friends didn't get the e-mail.

Yes/No Questions with Do, Does and Did

Punctuation Tip

• Do you want to go to the party?
• Does your dog live outside or in the house?
• Does your sister always talk so much on the phone?
• Did you catch the bus this morning?
• Don't you ever visit your parents?
• Didn't Mr. Albertson call you?
• You may add a one-word time expression, such as always , usually , or often between the subject and the verb.
• You may use a negative question with a time expression such as 'ever'.

Wh-questions with do, does and did

• Where do you want to send the package?
• Why does she always scream like that?
• How much do these earrings cost ?
• Why don't you ever clean up your mess?
• When did they arrive home?

Exercises for the Verb To Do

• Mark and Dylan do volunteer work at the homeless shelter twice a week. (do)
• Sheila didn't do the dishes last night. (not do)
• Does Gillian usually meet clients so late at night? (meet)
• ________ John often _____ together with his friends on the weekends? (get)
• Sivan ____________the post every day. (not collect)
• _______ the computer ____________ again yesterday? (break down)
• ____________ work __________ he _______ every month? (how much/do/do)
• _________ you ________ your laundry now? (do)
• In general, the dogs ____________ on the beds in his house. (not sleep) They _____ last night though. (do)
• How many copies of the document_______ you _________? (need)
• I ________ ever___________ the street on a red light! (not cross)
• ________ Adam always _________ the lights off when he leaves the office? (turn)
• _________ she ________ her homework yet? (do) It's due tomorrow.
• doesn't collect
• Did/break down
• How much/does/do
• don't sleep/did
• don't/cross
• Hasn't/done

Examples – do, does, did

• Gil did a great job on his History report for school.
• I do not want to go with you!

Yes/No Questions

Wh-questions.

• How much do these earrings cost?

Do – Does – Did – Done

DO – DOES – DID – DONE

The word  DO  appears a lot in English.

This is because it can be a verb, as in the verb  TO DO  which can be conjugated as Do and Does in the present tense, Did in the past tense and Done as a past participle.

DO can also be an  AUXILIARY  verb in the form of Do / Does to make questions in the present tense and Did to make questions in the past tense.

Let’s look at each one in more detail. We will start with the verb TO DO.

As we have seen, the verb  TO DO  has four forms: Do / Does / Did and Done Lets look at its form in the simple present tense.  

TO DO – Present Tense

With the verb TO DO in the Present Tense… We say: I do / you do / we do / they do But we say: he does / she does / it does

Let’s look at some example sentences:

• I  do  my laundry on Saturdays.

(Do my laundry means I wash my clothes, well, I put in the washing machine)

• They  do  their chores when they arrive home.

(Chores is the housework you need to do like washing the dishes, doing the vacuuming, etc.)

• He  does  nothing all day. (That’s right… he is quite lazy, he does absolutely nothing.)
• She  does charity work when she has time. (People that do charity work are superheroes)

TO DO – Past Tense

The simple past tense of DO is  DID  for all subjects: I did / you did / we did / they did / he did / she did / it did Notice how there is only one form of the verb in the past tense…. DID .

• He  did  a magic trick. (Yes, and everyone was amazed… wooow!)
• The baby  did  a fart. (Yes, and the smell made everyone cry. How can such a cute thing produce something so rotten.)
• I  did  my homework in record time. (Yes, it only took me 5 hours instead of 10)
• She did ballet after school last year. (This year she is doing something different)

TO DO – Past Participle

The past participle of DO is  DONE . Remember that past participles are accompanied by a conjugation of the verb  TO HAVE  or  TO BE  (which means it is in the correct tense according to the subject)

In general Have + past participle is used with a perfect tense and BE + past participle is with the passive voice . Let’s look at some examples:

• I have  done  my homework.
• He has  done  a good job.

These two sentences are in the present perfect tense because they have have or has before the past participle done .

• The video will show you how it is  done .
• The report was  done  on time.

Here we used a conjugation of the verb To Be before the past participle done .

TO DO – To replace a verb

We sometimes use the verb  DO  to  replace a verb when the meaning is clear  or obvious. This replacement is more common in informal spoken English:

• Have you  done  the dishes yet?

(Here done means washed )

• I’ll  do  the kitchen if you  do  the lawns

(The first do means clean – The second do means mow )

Sometimes Do , Does , and Did are used as auxiliaries to make questions in English.

Let’s start with DO and DOES:

DO / DOES – For Questions

To make a question in the simple present tense in English we normally put the auxiliary Do or Does at the beginning of the question before the subject. After the subject is the verb in its base form which means the infinitive without TO at the beginning. Look at this affirmative sentence:

• You speak English.

How can we make this a question? We add DO at the beginning so it becomes:

• Do  you speak English?

You will see that we add  DO  at the beginning when the subject is  I ,  you ,  we  or  they .

But look at this affirmative sentence:

• He speaks Arabic.

To make this a question we say:

• Does  he speak Arabic?

You can see that we add  DOES  at the beginning when the subject is  he ,  she or  it .

Notice how the letter  S  at the end of the verb in the affirmative sentence (because it is in third person) disappears in the question. That is because the verb is in the base form of the infinitive.

NOTE: We  DON’T  use  Do  or  Does  in questions that have the verb  To Be  or  Modal Verbs  (can, must, might, should etc.)

DID – For Questions

Let’s look at the auxiliary DID.

To make a question in the Simple Past Tense in English we normally put the auxiliary DID at the beginning of the question before the subject. And just like in the present tense, After the subject is the verb in its base form which means the infinitive with TO at the beginning. Look at this affirmative sentence:

• You lived in Spain.

How can we make this a question? We add DID at the beginning so it becomes:

• Did  you live in Spain?

We use the verb form Live and NOT lived because the auxiliary DID show that the question is in the past tense.

Did is also used with He, She and It. So with this affirmative sentence:

• She lived in Japan.

To make it a question in the past tense we say:

• Did she live in Japan?

Again we use DID for questions in the past EXCEPT with To Be  and  Modal Verbs  such as  Can . Compare these questions:

• Do you speak English?
• Did you speak English?

The only difference between a question in the present tense and the past tense is the first part… DO or DID. And look at these two questions

• Does he speak Italian?
• Did he speak Italian?

The only difference between a question in the present tense and the past tense when it refers to third person (he, she, or it) is the first part… DOES or DID.

Auxiliary and Verb together

Look at this question:

• Do you do exercises every day?

Why are there two DOs in this question? The first DO is necessary because we are making a question in the simple present tense. The second DO is from the verb TO DO. You DO exercises.

What happens if instead of YOU we are asking about another person?

• Does she do exercises every day?

We use DOES because it is necessary for simple present tense questions for third person, in this case for SHE. Does she….? Again DO appears because you DO exercises. It appears as DO and not DOES because the verb needs to be in the base form of the infinitive.

Of course in the past tense you would say:

• Did you do exercises yesterday?

Did is an auxiliary which is needed to make a question. Do is from the verb To Do.

DO and DOES – For Emphasis

Sometimes  Do / Does / Did  are used in  positive sentences  to give special  emphasis that what you say is true, despite what the other person thinks. Note that when speaking, the word ( do/does/did ) is stressed.

• I  do  want to go. (We put stress on the word  DO  to emphasize that we really want to go, even if you think it is not true.)
• I  did  study for the test. (Contrary to what you may believe… yes, I studied)

Notice that  Did  is used for positive sentences in the past tense and that the main verb is in its base form.

• Yes, he  does  like broccoli. (You may be surprised but yes, he likes broccoli)
• You  do  need tickets for the event. (I am emphasizing that fact that tickets ARE needed despite what you think.)

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Perfect tense.

• Present Perfect Tense in English
• When to use the Present Perfect Tense
• Adverbs with the Present Perfect Tense
• Still - Yet - Already
• Been To vs. Gone To
• Do - Does - Did - Done
• 101 Irregular Past Participles in English

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Do vs. Does: How to Use Does vs Do in Sentences

What’s the difference between do vs. does? Do and does are two words that are often used interchangeably, but they have different meanings and uses. Understanding the difference between these two words is important in order to use them correctly in sentences. While both are forms of the verb “to do,” they are used in different contexts and with different subjects.

Do vs. Does

What are do and does.

Do and does are auxiliary verbs in the English language. They are used to form questions, negatives, and some other types of sentences.

Do is used with all subjects except for the third person singular (he, she, it). For the third person singular, does is used.

How Are Do and Does Used?

Do and does are used to form questions and negatives in the present tense. They are also used as main verbs to express actions.

DO and does are often used with other verbs to form questions and negatives. For example:

• Do you like pizza?
• Does she speak Spanish?

DO and does can also be used as main verbs to express actions. For example:

• I do my homework every night.
• She does yoga every morning.

Examples of Do and Does Usage

Here are some examples of do and does usage in various contexts:

• Do you have a car?
• Does he play basketball?
• I do not like coffee.
• She does not eat meat.

Present tense:

• They do their homework every day. He does his laundry on Sundays.

Third person singular:

• She does her hair in the morning.
• He does his work on time.

Imperative sentences:

• Do your best!
• Does anyone have a question?

Affirmative:

• I do like ice cream.
• He does play the guitar.
• I do not know.
• She does not want to go.

Auxiliary verbs:

• I do not want to go.
• She does not like pizza.

Helping verbs:

• I do not have any money.
• He does not know the answer.

Word order:

• Does she speak French?

Short answers:

• Do you like coffee? Yes, I do.
• Does he play soccer? No, he does not.

Singular subjects:

• He does his homework every night.

Plural subjects:

• They do their homework every night.

Transitive verb:

Demonstrative pronoun:

• This does not work.
• That does not make sense.
• She does not like to swim.
• He does like to read.

Grammar rules:

Do and does are used with different subjects. Do is used with all subjects except for the third person singular, which uses does.

Differences between Do vs. Does

When to use do.

“Do” is a verb that is used in a variety of contexts. Here are some of the most common ways to use “do”:

• To perform an action or task: “I need to do my homework.”
• To create emphasis: “I do like pizza.”
• To form questions and negatives: “Do you want to go to the movies?” “I do not like broccoli.”

When to Use DOES

“Does” is the third-person singular form of “do.” It is used when referring to a single person or thing. Here are some examples of when to use “does”:

• To describe an action or task performed by a single person or thing: “He does his homework every night.”
• To form questions and negatives: “Does she want to go to the movies?” “He does not like broccoli .”

How to Form Questions with DO and DOES

To form a question with “do” or “does,” simply invert the subject and the verb. Here are some examples:

• “Do you like ice cream?”
• “Does she play tennis?”

How to Form Negative Sentences with DO and DOES

To form a negative sentence with “do” or “does,” add “not” after the verb. Here are some examples:

• “I do not want to go to the party.”
• “He does not like spicy food.”

Do vs. Does: Singular vs. Plural

When it comes to using “do” and “does,” it’s important to understand when to use each one based on whether the subject is singular or plural. Here are some guidelines to keep in mind:

Using Do vs. Does with Singular Subjects

When the subject of a sentence is singular (such as “he,” “she,” or “it”), you should use “does” instead of “do.” For example:

• He  does  his homework every night.
• She  does  not like to eat broccoli.
• It  does  not rain very often in this part of the country.

Using Do vs. Does with Plural Subjects

When the subject of a sentence is plural (such as “they” or “we”), you should use “do” instead of “does.” For example:

• They  do  their best work in the morning.
• We  do  not always agree on everything.
• You  do  not have to come if you don’t want to.

It’s important to note that there are some exceptions to these rules. For example, in imperative sentences (commands or requests), you should always use “do” regardless of whether the subject is singular or plural. For example:

• Do  your homework before you go outside.
• Do  not touch that hot stove!

Do vs. Does: Third Person Singular

Using do vs. does with third person singular subjects.

When it comes to using “do” and “does” with third-person singular subjects, it’s important to remember that “do” is used with all other pronouns, while “does” is used with the third-person singular pronoun. For example, “I do my homework,” but “He does his homework.” It’s also important to note that “does” is the third person singular present tense version of “do.”

How to Form Questions with Third Person Singular Subjects

When forming questions with third-person singular subjects, it’s important to remember to use “does” instead of “do.” For example, “Does he like pizza?” instead of “Do he like pizza?” It’s also important to note that the word order in questions with third-person singular subjects is the same as in questions with other pronouns. For example, “Does he like pizza?” has the same word order as “Do they like pizza?”

How to Form Negative Sentences with Third Person Singular Subjects

When forming negative sentences with third-person singular subjects, it’s important to remember to add “doesn’t” instead of “don’t.” For example, “He doesn’t like pizza” instead of “He don’t like pizza.” It’s also important to note that the word order in negative sentences with third-person singular subjects is the same as in negative sentences with other pronouns. For example, “He doesn’t like pizza” has the same word order as “They don’t like pizza.”

Do vs. Does: Commands and Imperative Sentences

How to use do vs does in commands.

When it comes to giving commands or making requests, it is important to use the correct form of “do” or “does” depending on the subject of the sentence. The basic rule is to use “do” with all subjects except for the third-person singular, which requires “does.”

For example:

• Do your homework.
• Do not forget to turn off the lights.
• Do you want to come with us?

In contrast, we use “does” with the third-person singular subject:

• Does he like pizza?
• Does she have any siblings?
• Does it rain a lot in this city?

How to Use Do vs. Does in Imperative Sentences

Imperative sentences are used to give commands or make requests. In these sentences, we always use “do” and never “does.” For example:

• Do your chores before you go outside.
• Do not talk to strangers.
• Do your best on the exam.

It is important to note that “does” is never used to form imperative sentences.

Do vs. Does: Auxiliary Verbs

Auxiliary verbs are verbs used in combination with other main verbs to add grammatical meaning to a sentence. DO is one such auxiliary verb that is used in English.

How to Use Do vs. Does as Auxiliary Verbs

DO is used to form questions and negatives in the present tense. For example, “Do you like pizza?” and “I do not like broccoli.” DOES, on the other hand, is used for the third person singular in the present tense. For example, “She does not like mushrooms.”

Do and does can also be used to form questions and negatives in the past tense, but in this case, the base verb DO takes the form DID. For example, “Did you go to the party?” and “I did not see the movie.”

Using Do vs. Does with Other Auxiliary Verbs

Do and does can also be used with other auxiliary verbs to form different tenses, such as the present continuous and the past continuous. For example, “I am doing my homework” and “She was doing her laundry.”

Do and does can also be used to form negatives and questions in the present perfect tense. For example, “I have not done my homework yet” and “ Have you done your laundry?”

In conclusion, Do and does are important auxiliary verbs in English that are used to form questions, negatives, and different tenses. By understanding how to use them correctly, you can improve your English language skills and communicate more effectively.

• Do is an irregular verb
• Does is the third-person singular form of do
• Do takes the form did in the past tense
• Do and does are commonly used as auxiliary verbs to form different tenses and questions/negatives.

Do vs. Does: Infinitives and Gerunds

How to use do vs. does with infinitives.

When using infinitives with do and does, it is important to remember that DO is the base form of the verb, while DOES is the third-person singular form. Here are some examples:

• I do my homework every day.
• She does her laundry on Sundays.

In both of these sentences, do and does are followed by the infinitive form of the verb. This is because the infinitive is used to express an action that has not yet happened but will happen in the future.

How to Use Do vs. Does with Gerunds

When using gerunds with do and does, it is important to remember that both DO and DOES are followed by the -ing form of the verb. Here are some examples:

• I enjoy doing crossword puzzles.
• She hates doing the dishes.

In both of these sentences, do and does are followed by the gerund form of the verb. This is because the gerund is used to express an action that is happening right now or has already happened in the past.

It is also important to note that do and does can be used with both infinitives and gerunds to express different meanings. For example:

• I do my best to help others. (infinitive)
• She does her own thing, no matter what others say. (gerund)

In these sentences, do and does are used to express different meanings depending on whether they are followed by an infinitive or a gerund.

Do vs. Does: Past Tense and Past Participle

Using do vs. does in past tense.

In the past tense, the verb “do” changes to “did” for all subjects. On the other hand, “does” remains unchanged in the third-person singular present tense. Here are some examples:

• I did my homework yesterday.
• You did a great job on the presentation.
• He did not attend the meeting.
• She does not like spicy food.
• The team does well in this stadium.

Using Do vs. Does in Past Participle

In the past participle, the verb “do” changes to “done.” Here are some examples:

• I have done my best to help you.
• You should have done your research before making a decision.
• He has not done anything productive all day.
• She does not have any work done yet.

It is important to note that “does” does not have a past participle form. Therefore, it is not used in past participle constructions.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, the difference between “do” and “does” is simple. “Do” is used in all persons except for the third person singular, where “does” is used. It’s important to use the correct form of the verb to ensure that your sentence is grammatically correct and easy to understand.

Here are some key takeaways:

• Use “do” with all persons except for the third person singular.
• Use “does” with the third person singular.
• “Do” and “does” are present tense forms of the verb “to do”.
• “Do” can also be used to form an imperative sentence.

It’s important to note that while the difference between “do” and “does” may seem small, it can greatly affect the meaning and clarity of your sentence. By using the correct form of the verb, you can ensure that your writing is clear and easy to understand.

Remember to always double-check your work and make sure that you are using the correct form of the verb. With practice, using “do” and “does” correctly will become second nature.

Do vs. Does | Picture

When to Use Do vs. Does

Related links:

• Can vs. May
• Has vs. Have
• May vs. Might
• Was vs. Were

Good article, knowledge well-served.

great information and examples

Expand your vocabulary, improve your grammar skills, and develop your own unique writing style.

'Do Your Homework' or 'Do The Homework'. Which Is Correct?

The expression “do homework” refers to the work that a teacher gives a student to do at home.

The expression “ do homework ” refers to the work that a teacher gives a student to do at home.

Doing homework is a boring activity for some students.

Use the article “the” or a possessive pronoun (my, your, his, etc.) to be more specific.

Have you done your math homework ?

Since homework is an uncountable noun, it is not possible to use the indefinite article a/an.

The history teacher gave us some homework to do by Monday.

The history teacher gave us a homework to do by Monday.

1. Homework Is Uncountable

2. using other determiners with ‘homework’.

“ Homework ” is an uncountable noun; therefore, it does not have a plural form.

I have some homework to do.

I have three homeworks to do.

Being uncountable, " homework " is always followed by a singular verb.

The science homework was extremely difficult.

And you cannot put the article a/an in front of it.

You should do some homework today.

You should do a homework today.

But you can use the word “ assignment ” to mention separate pieces of homework.

Complete the three homework assignments .

Rebecca, you did an impressive job on the homework assignments .

Or just say “ a/one piece of homework ” or " a bit of homework ".

You still have one piece of homework left to do.

Note that we always say “ do homework ”. Avoid the verbs make or write with this word.

It’s worth doing a bit of homework before playing video games.

It’s worth making/writing a bit of homework before playing video games.

But you can use the verbs give or help (somebody).

The teacher gave us some homework to do by Friday.

My mother used to help me with my homework .

Instead of referring to the work that a student is asked to do at home, you can use “ homework ” as a synonym of preparation.

Since we have done our homework , we are well prepared for the meeting with the investor.

Using "a" or "the" with common activities

We commonly add a possessive pronoun (my, your, his, her, our, their) before “ homework ”.

Do your homework before dinner.

Have the kids done their homework ?

Jennifer is very good at doing her homework .

But you can also use other determiners, such as:

• some (affirmative sentences)
• any (interrogative and negative sentences)

The teacher gives too much homework .

I don’t have any homework .

We can also omit the determiner to speak about homework in a general way.

Homework is boring.

Is it bad to do homework in bed?

For homework , finish the exercise on page 8.

PristineWord

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Do or Does: Which is Correct?

By: Author Dr. Patrick Capriola

Posted on Published: November 29, 2021

The verb “do” is among the most common English verbs, and like most verbs we use a lot, it’s irregular. “Do” and “does” are both forms of the verb “do” in the simple present, so which is correct, “do” or “does?”

When you talk about yourself, you should say, “I do” as in “I do the dishes,” not “I does the dishes.” Even though the verb “do” is irregular, it still follows the rule that a present tense verb, in the third-person singular, needs an “s” at the end. For example, “I eat” and “he eats.” Like other verbs, “do” gets an “s” in the third-person singular, but we spell it with “es” — “does.”

Let’s take a closer look at how “do” and “does” are different and when to use each one. We’ll also talk about how to make negative sentences and questions with “do” and “does,” and we’ll even check out some common phrasal verbs and expressions that use “do.”

Do Is a Verb: What Does It Mean?

“Do” and “does” are action verbs, and we use them to describe an activity in the present tense ( source ). Remember that we use the simple present tense to talk about habits or activities that happen consistently over time.

Is It “I Do” or “I Does”?

Say “I do” when you are talking about work or an activity you are performing yourself. Here are some examples:

• I always do my homework before dinner.
• I do the dishes after we eat.

You only need to use the word “does” when you use the third-person singular to talk about another person or thing ( source ). Look at these sentences:

• He always does his homework before dinner.
• She does the dishes after we eat.
• That car does well in the snow.

Can We Use “Do” with “I”?

As we’ve learned from the previous examples, you can use “do” with “I.” Bearing that in mind, which of these sentences is correct?

• I do all my chores on Saturday.
• I does all my chores on Saturday.

If you chose the first sentence, you’re correct! Remember, we need “do” when the subject is “I.”

Can We Use “Does” with “I”?

This also raises the question of whether we can use “does” with “I.” Simply put, no, you cannot use “does” with “I.” Consider the next examples. Which sentence is correct?

• I does it as many times as it takes.
• I do it as many times as it takes.

The second sentence is correct. Remember, the third-person singular is the only subject that uses “does.” You can say, “He does it as many times as it takes,” but you cannot say, “I does it as many times as it takes.”

“Does” and “Do” Chart

Here’s an easy chart to help you remember when to use “does” or “do.”

As you can see from the chart, you should always use “do” in the simple present tense when you are talking about anyone except he, she, or it. For those subjects, you need “does.”

Do or Does Singular

For proper subject-verb agreement, the singular subjects “I” and “you” need the word “do.” To describe how singular subjects “he,” “she,” or “it” complete an action, you will need to use the word “does.”

• I do my best.
• You do my hair exactly how I like it.
• She does everything with a smile.

Of course, if you are using someone’s name or the name of an “it,” you’ll also use “does.”

• Mr. Garcia does car repair from his shop.
• This printer also does color, as well as black and white.

Do or Does Plural

In contrast, for proper subject-verb agreement, you should use “do” with all plural subjects, like “we,” “they,” or the plural “you.”

• We do the laundry every week.
• They do their jobs well.
• You do your best all the time.
• They do volunteer work at the library. 

“Does” and “Do” Examples

Now you try! Look at these sentences and decide if you should use “do” or does.”

1.    Mr. and Mrs. Lee always _____ what they say.

2.    You guys ______ that project, and we can _____ this one. (you → plural)

3.    The horse ______ laps around the track.

4.    I _____ the sewing by hand.

5.    You and I ______ whatever we want.

6.    You _____ a good job when you cook. (you → singular)

7.   I _____my work from home now.

Here are the answers. How did you do?

1.   do

2.   do, do

3.   does

4.   do

5.   do

6.   do

7.   do

Using Do and Does With Various Sentence Structures

There are many different ways to use the verbs “do” and “does,” whether as main verbs or helping verbs. In this section, we’ll review the main applications for both.

Do and Does in a Positive Sentence for Emphasis

Occasionally, we can use “do” and “does” as helping verbs . However, this isn’t very common in positive sentences unless you want to give extra emphasis to the sentence’s main verb. You will still use “does” with the third-person singular and “do” with all other personal pronouns. 

Here are some examples of how either “do” or “does” can provide emphasis for your main verb:

• I do want to go ; please call me! (You do not think I want to go)
• He does like pickles on his sandwich. (You thought he did not like them.)
• Sally and Harry do want to get married; they just don’t know when.

Making Negative Sentences With Do and Does

We also use “do” and “does” as helping verbs in negative sentences if the main verb is not “be.” Just add the adverb “not” after the helping verb “do” or “does,” then use your main verb. You will still use “does” for “he,” “she,” and “it” and “do” for all other personal pronouns. Consider the following examples:

• I do not want to go .
• You do not need to help me.
• Marla does not eat meat.
• We do not exercise on Fridays.
• You (plural) do not use plastic forks.
• They do not think it will happen.

Any of these sentences are fine. However, it’s much more common to make a contraction with “not,” especially when you are speaking. Simply combine “do” or “does” with “not” into one word, and then replace the “o” in “not” with an apostrophe.

• I don’t want to go.
• You don’t need to help me.
• Marla doesn’t eat meat.
• We don’t exercise on Fridays.
• You don’t use plastic forks.
• They don’t think it will happen.

Making Questions With Do and Does

A very common way to ask questions in English is by using “do” and “does” as helping verbs. Use them when you are asking a question that needs a “yes” or “no” answer. 

The rule for when to use “do” and “does” is still the same. You need to use “does” with “he,” “she,” or “it” and “do” with “I” and all other personal pronouns ( source ). Here are some examples:

• Do you like chocolate ice cream?
• Does he need help?
• Do they make a lot of money?
• Do we have a meeting today?

The answer to all of these questions can be a simple yes or no. If you need a longer answer to a question, you can add a question word — who, what, where, when, why, how, which — before “do” or “does.”

• Why does he always arrive late?
• How do you spell that?
• What do I use to clean this?
• Who do they live with?

However, there are times you do not need to use “do” and “does” when you ask a question. We’ve already talked about one — when your main verb is a form of “be.” Here are two more:

• When your main verb is a compound verb, like “are going.”
• When you use a modal verb, like “can,” should,” have,” etc.

Making Negative Questions With “Do” and “Does”

To make negative questions, you should use the contractions “don’t” and “doesn’t.” It’s very rare to form a negative question by saying or spelling “do not” or “does not.” Instead, just put these contractions at the beginning of the sentence, before the subject. These questions only need a “yes” or “no” answer.

• Don’t I look pretty?
• Doesn’t that dog need a bath?
• Don’t we have a meeting today?

Do and Does Can Substitute for Other Verbs

If your listener knows what action you are talking about, you can also follow “do” and “does” with the pronoun “it.”

• We do it every week. (the laundry.)
• He never does it until the weekend. (his homework.)
• They do it with love. (their cooking)
• This machine does it better. (the function of the machine you are talking about)

Speaking of pronouns, be aware that it’s not a good idea to directly follow “do” or “does” with a pronoun that refers to a person, like “him,” “her,” or “us.” Sentences like that are either so casual that they sound uneducated, or they can refer in a derogatory way to activities that you wouldn’t talk about in normal conversation.

However, you can use possessive pronouns, like “my” and “her,” followed by a noun.

• I do her hair every morning.
• Does Mr. Smith do your yard three times a week?

Other Ways to Use Do and Does

You can also use “do” and “does” with indefinite pronouns like “everything” and “nothing” to talk about activities.

• I do everything around the house.
• She does nothing unless someone asks her.

And finally, you can use “do” and “does” with an adverb to describe how you performed that activity.

• Matthew does his homework quickly.

Pronouncing Do and Does

“Do” and “does” also have irregular pronunciation, but don’t worry! Once you learn how to say them, they are easy to remember. The following pronunciation guides use Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary ( source ) and IPA symbols to help you ( source ).

Some Useful Idioms and Phrasal Verbs With “Do”

Since we use “do” and “does” a lot, there are also many expressions and idioms that use these two words ( source ). Here are a few:

Do (someone) a favor → to do a kind or helpful act for someone:

• Molly, would you do me a favor and help me move these boxes?

Do business → to sell or buy from:

• That deal sounds good; can we do business?

Do you good → a good thing that will help you:

• Take this medicine; it does you good.

Do a number on → to hurt or harm someone or something:

• The puppy does a number on my shoes.

Do-over → a second try to accomplish a task that was previously unsuccessful:

• Can I have a do-over?

Do the trick → to produce the desired result:

• I fixed the picture frame with a nail; that should do the trick.

Do you read me → this is serious; it is important that you do as I say:

• Jonathan, do not play in the street. Do you read me?

How to Answer “How Are You Doing?”

Finally, what should you say when someone asks you, “How are you doing?” You can’t answer this with the present tense “I do.” Instead, you need to use the present continuous, as they did in their question. This article was written for strategiesforparents.com.

You might answer, “I’m doing well” or “I’m doing good.” Both are correct, but they mean different things. Check out this article on the difference between “doing well” and “doing good.”

Final Thoughts

Remember, you should use “does” for the third-person singular. Use “do” for all other personal pronouns, both singular and plural. This rule applies when you use “do” as an action verb, as well as when you use it as a helping verb.

The more you listen to native speakers and practice your own speaking, the more you will discover that using “do” and “does” correctly will soon become natural for you. 

Mastering the Past Tense of Do: Your Ultimate Guide to Fluent English

By: Author ESLBUZZ

Posted on Last updated: September 14, 2023

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Learning English grammar can be a challenging task, especially when it comes to understanding the past tense of irregular verbs. One of the most commonly used verbs in English is “do”, and its past tense can be tricky for non-native speakers to grasp. In this article, we will explore the different forms of the past tense of do and provide examples to help you understand how to use them correctly.

Understanding the correct usage of these different forms of the past tense of “do” is essential for effective communication in English. In the following sections, we will delve deeper into each form and provide examples to help you master this important grammatical concept. So, let’s get started!

Past Tense of Do – Image

Understanding the Verb ‘Do’

In English grammar, the past tense refers to the form of a verb that indicates that an action took place in the past.

The verb ‘do’ is one of the most frequently used verbs in the English language. It is used to form questions, negatives, and to emphasize the main verb in a sentence. Understanding the correct usage of the past tense of ‘do’ is essential for effective communication in English.

Simple Past Tense of ‘Do’

The simple past tense of ‘do’ is ‘did’. It is used to talk about completed actions in the past. For example:

• I did my homework yesterday.
• She did not come to the party last night.
• Did you watch the movie last weekend?

Past Continuous Tense of ‘Do’

The past continuous tense of ‘do’ is ‘was/were doing’. It is used to talk about actions that were in progress at a specific time in the past. For example:

• I was doing my homework when my friend called me.
• They were not doing anything when I arrived.
• What were you doing at 5 o’clock yesterday?

Past Perfect Tense of ‘Do’

The past perfect tense of ‘do’ is ‘had done’. It is used to talk about actions that were completed before another action in the past. For example:

• I had done my homework before I went to bed.
• She had not done her laundry when she ran out of clean clothes.
• Had you done your research before the presentation?

Past Perfect Continuous Tense of ‘Do’

The past perfect continuous tense of ‘do’ is ‘had been doing’. It is used to talk about actions that had been in progress for a period of time before another action in the past. For example:

• I had been doing my homework for two hours before I took a break.
• They had not been doing anything productive for weeks before the deadline.
• Had you been doing your exercises regularly before the injury?

In conclusion, understanding the past tense of ‘do’ is crucial for effective communication in English. Practice using the different tenses in various contexts to improve your fluency.

The Past Tense of Do

Form and Usage

In English grammar, the past tense of ‘do’ is ‘did’. ‘Did’ is used to express an action that occurred in the past. The verb ‘do’ is an irregular verb, which means that it does not follow the regular pattern of adding ‘-ed’ to the base form to form the past tense.

To form the past tense of ‘do’, we use ‘did’ as an auxiliary verb followed by the base form of the main verb. For example, “I did my homework” or “He did not eat breakfast this morning”.

Examples in Sentences

Here are some examples of ‘did’ in sentences:

• She did not like the movie.
• They did their best to finish the project on time.
• Did you finish your work before leaving the office?
• He did not want to go to the party.

It is important to note that ‘did’ is used in both affirmative and negative sentences, as well as questions. In questions, ‘did’ is placed at the beginning of the sentence followed by the subject and the base form of the main verb.

Knowing the past tense of ‘do’ is essential for anyone learning English grammar. By using ‘did’ correctly, you can accurately express actions that occurred in the past. Practice using ‘did’ in sentences and questions to improve your understanding of this important verb tense.

Common Mistakes and Misconceptions

When it comes to using the past tense of “do,” there are a few common mistakes and misconceptions that English learners often encounter. In this section, we’ll explore some of these common issues and provide tips on how to avoid them.

Using “did” Too Much

One common mistake that English learners make when using the past tense of “do” is using “did” too much. While “did” is the correct past tense form of “do,” it’s important to vary your language and use other forms of the past tense as well. For example, instead of always saying “did you do your homework?” try saying “have you finished your homework?” or “completed your homework?”

Forgetting the Auxiliary Verb

Another common mistake is forgetting to use the auxiliary verb “did” in questions and negatives. In English, we use “did” to form questions and negatives in the past tense. For example, instead of saying “you do your homework?” say “did you do your homework?” or instead of saying “I not do my homework,” say “I didn’t do my homework.”

Confusing “Done” and “Did”

A common misconception is that “done” is the past tense of “do.” While “done” is a form of the verb “do,” it’s actually the past participle form, not the past tense form. The past participle is used in perfect tenses, such as “I have done my homework.” The past tense form is “did,” as in “I did my homework yesterday.”

By avoiding these common mistakes and misconceptions, you can improve your use of the past tense of “do” and communicate more effectively in English.

Exercises and Practice

To reinforce your understanding of the past tense of do, we have created several interactive exercises that you can try out. These exercises are designed to help you practice using the past tense of do in different contexts and sentence structures.

Fill in the Blank : In this exercise, you will be given a sentence with a blank space where the past tense of do should be. You will need to select the correct form of the past tense of do to complete the sentence.

Example: Yesterday, I __________ my homework before dinner.

Sentence Scramble : In this exercise, you will be given a scrambled sentence that contains the past tense of do. You will need to unscramble the sentence to make it grammatically correct.

Example: Yesterday, homework I did my.

Multiple Choice : In this exercise, you will be given a sentence with a missing word. You will need to select the correct form of the past tense of do from a list of options.

Example: She __________ her laundry last night. a) do b) did c) does d) doing

We hope these exercises and worksheets will help you master the past tense of do. Keep practicing and you’ll be using it like a pro in no time!

Summary and Conclusion

In this article, we have covered the past tense of “do” in English grammar. We started with an overview of the verb “do” and its various forms in the present tense, before moving on to its past tense forms.

We learned that the past tense of “do” is “did,” and that it is used to talk about actions or events that occurred in the past. We also discussed the different ways in which “did” can be used, including as an auxiliary verb to form questions and negatives.

To help you better understand the past tense of “do,” we provided numerous examples throughout the article. We also included exercises for you to practice using “did” in context.

Overall, mastering the past tense of “do” is an important step in improving your English grammar skills. With practice and persistence, you can become more confident in using this verb tense correctly in your writing and speaking.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the past tense form of the verb ‘do’?

The past tense form of the verb ‘do’ is ‘did’. For example, “Yesterday, I did my homework.”

Can the past tense be used with the verb ‘do’?

Yes, the past tense form of ‘do’ (‘did’) can be used in sentences where the action has already happened in the past. For example, “Did you do your homework?”

What are the different verb forms (V1, V2, V3) for the verb ‘do’?

The different verb forms for ‘do’ are:

• V1 (base form): do
• V2 (past tense): did
• V3 (past participle): done

How is the verb ‘do’ used for emphasis?

The verb ‘do’ can be used for emphasis by adding it before a verb in a sentence. For example, “I do love chocolate!”

The past tense form of the verb 'do' is 'did'. For example, \"Yesterday, I did my homework.\"

"}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Can the past tense be used with the verb 'do'?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"

Yes, the past tense form of 'do' ('did') can be used in sentences where the action has already happened in the past. For example, \"He did his best to help me.\"

"}},{"@type":"Question","name":"What is the correct past tense for the verb 'learn'?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"

The correct past tense for the verb 'learn' is 'learned' in American English and 'learnt' in British English. For example, \"I learned a lot from that experience.\"

"}},{"@type":"Question","name":"What are the different verb forms (V1, V2, V3) for the verb 'do'?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"

The different verb forms for 'do' are:

"}},{"@type":"Question","name":"How is the verb 'do' used for emphasis?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"

The verb 'do' can be used for emphasis by adding it before a verb in a sentence. For example, \"I do love chocolate!\"

"}},{"@type":"Question","name":"What are some examples of using 'do' and 'does' in the present tense?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"

• Do: \"Do you like pizza?\"
• Does: \"He does his homework every day.\"
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• Conjugation of Irregular verbs

conjugation of verb do

Irregular verbs.

Irregular verbs Regular verbs do, does, did, done, doing

Synonyms: perform, execute, accomplish, achieve, complete Antonyms: neglect, ignore, abandon, overlook, fail

Irregular Verbs

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do OR make ?

It is not always easy to choose between do and make .

Do can be an auxiliary verb ( Do you like coffee? ) or a main verb (I did my homework yesterday) . As an auxiliary verb, do has no meaning. It is necessary only for the grammatical structure. As a main verb do has a meaning, but the meaning is rather general. It often expresses a general activity.

Make is not an auxiliary verb. It is always a main verb (I made a cake yesterday) . The meaning of make is also rather general, but it often expresses the idea of construction or creation.

In this lesson we look at some guidelines that may help you, followed by a quiz to check your understanding:

• Expressions with do and make
• Make Do Song
• do or make Quiz

“Do” vs. “Does”: How Do You Tell The Difference?

• Do Vs. Does
• Similar Verbs

Both do and does are present tense forms of the verb do . Which is the correct form to use depends on the subject of your sentence.

In this article, we’ll explain the difference between do and does , cover when and how to use each form, and provide examples of how they’re used in sentences.

⚡ Quick summary

Do is an irregular verb, which means that it has different forms depending on tense and the subject it’s being used with. Both do and does are used for the present tense. The form does is only used with third person singular subjects, such as the pronouns he , she , and it , as in She does yoga . The form do is used for all other subjects, including for first person ( I and we ) and second person pronouns ( you ) and the third person pronoun they (regardless of whether it’s singular or plural), as in I do yoga, but they do not . The past tense form of do is did , and the past participle form is done .

do vs. does  

The verb do is considered an irregular verb because its past tense and past participle are not formed by adding -ed or -d to the end of the base form as is the case in most verbs. In fact, do has a particularly unusual conjugation pattern compared to other verbs.

Here are the different forms of do :

• do: Base/infinitive; used for present tense except with third person singular subjects (other than the singular they , which uses do regardless of whether it’s singular or plural). Example: I do my homework as soon as I get home.
• does : Used for third person singular present tense (other than singular they ). Example: She does her homework as soon as she gets home.
• did : past tense Example: She did her homework as soon as she got home.
• done : past participle Example: She had done homework for three hours after she got home.
• doing : present participle and gerund Example: She is doing her homework.

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The forms do , does , and did are also used in the negative contractions don’t ( do not ), doesn’t ( does not ), and didn’t ( did not ).

For example:

• Don’t open the window.
• Luke doesn’t know how to cook.
• Fortunately, the flowers didn’t wither.

Verbs similar to do

The irregular verb do has a unique conjugation pattern. Some other irregular verbs that have an unusual conjugation pattern somewhat similar to do are go , be , and have .

To learn more about the forms of the verb be , check our guides to is vs. are , been vs. being , and has been vs. have been .

Examples of do , does , did , and done used in a sentence 

The only thing left to do is look at how we typically use the forms do , did , and does in sentences.

• I’ve never done yoga, and I’m not sure if they do, but I’m sure that he does.
• I remember what I did last time, but I’m not sure if I should do it again.
• She did everything she could to make sure it was done by the deadline.
• I can’t do even a fraction of the amazing things that my brother does on a regular basis.
• We did the vacuuming yesterday, the morning crew does the laundry on Fridays, and the night crew will do the floor waxing next month.

"Payed" or "paid"? Learning the difference won't cost you a thing.

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Negative sentence with do

The positive sentence is:

I do my homework at 6 pm.

However, is this negative version correct?

I don't do my homework at 6 pm.

I'm confused about the double use of do .

• present-tense
• Yes, that negative form is grammatically correct. "Do" is the same as any other verb. For example: "I fight crime for a living" vs. "I don't fight crime for a living." –  Justin Commented Jul 6, 2016 at 16:08
• 5 The second do is the Action do , as in do the dishes/laundry/floor/work , or what to do about it . It's a main (if idiomatic) verb. The first do is Do -Support do , which has no meaning and gets stuck in when an auxiliary verb is needed (like with a negative or a question) but there isn't one there already. They're just two words that happen to sound the same, like bare bear . –  John Lawler Commented Jul 6, 2016 at 16:16
• @JohnLawler as in "You don't do your homework at 6 pm do you, are you just lying?" "I do do my homework at 6 pm!". –  Max Williams Commented Jul 6, 2016 at 16:46
• The emphatic stressed do is yet another special form. The little words are the hard words; they're all tangled up in idioms and grammar gears. –  John Lawler Commented Jul 6, 2016 at 16:48
• @JohnLawler Emphatic do is the same as Do -Support do , surely. Emphasis is simply another case that requires an auxiliary: the same verbs that don't use Do -Support for negation and questions also don't for emphasis. –  Janus Bahs Jacquet Commented Jul 6, 2016 at 21:43

2 Answers 2

It's correct.

If you use a plain do negatively, or in a question, you throw in another do .

I do hair and nails. I don't do hair or nails. Do you do hair or nails?

If do is being used as a helping verb, e.g. emphatically, then you don't add another do when negating it.

I did walk to the park yesterday. I did not walk to the park yesterday.

compare to:

I am generally doing my homework at 6 pm.

I am generally not doing my homework at 6 pm.

You could also say:

(But)I do do my homework at 6 pm.

--> if you want to emphasize the fact that you actually are doing it; for example if somebody accuses you of not doing it. But if you just want to point out the fact that you are doing it at 6 without highlighting it, you can save some time by dropping one of the do's

I do not do my homework at 6 pm.

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• Cambridge Dictionary +Plus

Do or make ?

When we use do and make with noun phrases, do focuses on the process of acting or performing something, make emphasises more the product or outcome of an action:

When I was [action] doing the calculations, I [outcome] made two mistakes.

I [action] did some work for her last summer; I [outcome] made a pond in her garden.

Nouns which combine with do

I do the shopping on Fridays usually.

Could you do a job for me next week?

Who does the cooking in your house?

Nouns which combine with make

They made me an interesting offer of a job in Warsaw.

Not many building firms will make a profit this year.

I have to make a phone call.

Do as a main verb

Collocation

Word of the Day

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an expression of surprise or feeling sorry about a mistake or slight accident

Fakes and forgeries (Things that are not what they seem to be)

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• English Only

I'm writing my homework vs I'm doing my homework

• Thread starter asdasdasd
• Start date Jun 23, 2023

Senior Member

• Jun 23, 2023

I'm writing my homework vs I'm doing my homework. In Polish the two are interchangable no matter the type of the homework. From my experience in English we use only the verb "do". But "to write" kind of makes sense so I want to check with you.  

Grammatically, "I'm writing my homework." is correct, but I'd have to ask "How do you mean?"  

The same for American English. It's not what we say. If I'm reading an assigned chapter in my history textbook, I'm doing my homework. I'm not writing anything. If I'm writing a short story for literature class, I'm doing my homework by writing a story. I'm not writing my homework even though my homework is something written.  

Myridon said: The same for American English. It's not what we say. If I'm reading an assigned chapter in my history textbook, I'm doing my homework. I'm not writing anything. If I'm writing a short story for literature class, I'm doing my homework by writing a story. I'm not writing my homework even though my homework is something written. Click to expand...

"I'm writing my homework." makes no sense, with maths or anything else - it's simply not used. If you say this, you will have to explain what you mean. Added: You could say that you're writing down your homework, but this means that you're making a note of the homework you have to do.  

asdasdasd said: Thanks. And if you're solving mathematical equations, would anyone say "I'm writing my homework"? Technically speaking, they are writing Click to expand...

Edinburgher

We don't write homework, but we do write essays. And if our homework assignment is to write an essay, then we could say "I'm writing my homework essay."  

asdasdasd said: Technically speaking, they are writing. Click to expand...

Myridon said: I wouldn't consider the work done to solve the problems to be writing though. You might solve the problem on your calculator, then write the answer. The mathematics teacher is unlikely to take off for your penmanship, spelling, or grammar if you get the numbers right. Click to expand...

asdasdasd said: So unless we're talking about writing something like an essay, we should choose "do" Click to expand...

ain'ttranslationfun?

For example, your homework could involve watching a video.  

Chasint said: Please believe the answers that have been given. We never , under any circumstances, say "I'm writing my homework." I'm doing my homework. I'm finishing my homework. I'm burning my homework. The dog is eating my homework. I'm writing my homework. EDIT: I suppose it would be possible to invent some unlikely context where 'writing' would be correct, e.g. I'm writing my homework on the back of my brother's head, and will copy it onto paper later. but that would be unusual and exceptional. Click to expand...

Enquiring Mind

See also do / write one's homework .  

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I'm a Finnish mom in the US. I let my kids schedule their own playdates and allow them to skip homework to get playtime outside.

I moved to the US to build my dream media career and then had three boys, ages 10, 8, and 3.

Combining work and family is a struggle Finnish women don't have.

Parenting norms in the US are more all-consuming than in the Nordics.

I'm originally from Finland , and after a decade of ticking off my career goals in the US, I fell for an American man, my neighbor in our Brooklyn apartment building. It seemed like I had just about reached everything I had wished for when my life took a turn.

After I became pregnant with our first son, I was shocked to learn how much harder motherhood was in the US and how much more challenging it was to balance work with family compared to the Nordics.

Taking time off from work to have kids is encouraged in the Nordics

In the US, I was surprised to see and experience how rare paid parental leave was and how short it was: new moms — and dads — are quickly pushed back to work almost as if they hadn't had kids.

I tried that (even though my Nordic friends called me barbaric) and quickly burned out . My Finnish friends, on the other hand, were thriving instead of just surviving through motherhood. They first solely focused on family for the first 14 months due to long parental leaves and then seamlessly returned to their jobs, even at executive levels. They told me successful career arcs are waves rather than hockey sticks. Inspired, I looked for a family-friendly company in my industry to try to transition to but came up empty-handed.

I had to decide whether to be a stay-at-home mom or a working mom

Unlike in Finland, this is one of the biggest decisions new American mothers make. Due to the work culture in the US, choosing a career requires giving up most of the time with your child, and staying at home requires giving up work interests. In Finland, most women return back to work, as it doesn't require giving up too much family time with the 37.5-hour workweek, long vacations , and option for part-time schedules.

I understood I couldn't find that in the US, but I hadn't realized I would have to give up so much more than time with my kids just to return to work — I had to give up most of my salary . After we had had two kids, I was offered an exciting new job opportunity with fantastic pay. Yet, after I calculated the cost of two kids in nursery school along with a full time nanny, there was nothing much left — except my husband's salary — to live on. I still almost took the job, but in benefits negotiations, I was told there would be "no flexibility." That was it for me.

American parents do a lot for their kids

American parents around me tend to care for their children by doing a lot for them and by removing discomforts and obstacles, while in the Nordics, parents show care by both letting and pushing their kids to do what they are capable of to prepare them for the world.

I have accidentally baffled many American parents by raising my children like kids are raised in the Nordics, embracing all types of weather and encouraging them to be independent. We live within walking distance of their school, so, wearing the appropriate gear, we walk in rain, shine, snow, or sleet. I have let my boys race well past me on scooters, even as toddlers, and run around playgrounds as I sit on the sidelines.

At elementary age , I have them schedule their playdates so they call their friends' parents to organize them. And, after school, I suggest they skip homework to get that essential playtime outside after school instead (the American school day is two to three hours longer than the Finnish one, with less recess). And, if our elementary-age children don't want to join us when we run errands, we welcome them to stay home — alone.

They thrive with autonomy, and my husband and I do, too. However, finding opportunities for them to develop their independence is a challenge: I often get asked if my kids are indeed mine when I'm only a short distance away or asked to supervise them, even if I can see them but not hover over them.

I do less parenting in Finland

Back in the US, I have decided to consciously create more bandwidth by opting out of many voluntary but culturally encouraged American mom tasks, from participation in school activities during the daytime to scheduling — and attending — countless travel sports and choosing simpler commitments instead.

I also don't spend much time entertaining my kids, allowing them to take the lead in creating their own fun.

However, I help my kids master independence skills, like the autonomous morning routine, so I can drink my coffee hot, workout, and get ready — while they get themselves ready. And, to balance the load of the invisible work, I have outsourced things that can't not be done to my husband, such as school registrations and passport renewals because they have motivating natural consequences.

I came to the US for the American dream but found something else that led me to thrive: Nordic principles of balance, bandwidth, and autonomy — and the innovative spirit of American moms. In the US, I see massive amounts of brilliance hiding in plain sight: well-educated career women who are not able to use their talents because, after kids, it's simply too exhausting on all levels. So they decide to work outside the system, and completely reinvent themselves — and, so did I.

Read the original article on Business Insider